Flame

D. Holmes T.

Description

After her step-father sexually assaulted her, Alexis Fox gains magical powers. But with a new threat after her, will her powers be a blessing or a curse?

Sujets

• Fantasy (canción de Mariah Carey)
• Fantasy

Informations

• Publié par: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Date de parution: 29 mars 2019
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781528959049
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

The Flame
T. D. Holmes
Austin Macauley Publishers
2019-03-29
The Flame About the Author Dedication Foreword Copyright Information Acknowledgement Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-Two Chapter Twenty-Three Chapter Twenty-Four Chapter Twenty-Five Chapter Twenty-Six Epilogue
About the Author
T. D. Holmes is a British author born and raised in Northern Ireland. Despite being dyslexic, she has a love for reading and writing.
Dedication
I’d like to dedicate my first book to the Logans. To Nicole, Demi and, most importantly, John, without whom I would not be here today. Your support during one of the most difficult times in my life gave me the courage to speak up. And for believing, not only me and my story, but in me. It gave me the strength to survive it. I love you both. You are amazing!
Foreword
If you or anyone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this book, please do not suffer alone. Seek help. There are many services out there, whether you want to take legal action or not.
Services include:
· 999 for emergencies or 101 for non-emergencies to contact the police within the UK.
· For Mainland UK residents, you can also contact Rape Crisis for counselling. Visit www.rapecrisis.org for more information or to find your local offices.
· For Northern Ireland residents, you can contact Nexus. Visit www.nexus.org for more information or to find your local offices.
· Many other services are available.
Copyright Information
Copyright © T. D. Holmes (2019)
The right of T. D. Holmes to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.
Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.
ISBN 9781528908740 (Paperback)
ISBN 9781528908757 (Kindle e-book)
ISBN 9781528959049 (ePub e-book)
www.austinmacauley.com
First Published (2019)
Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd
25 Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5LQ
Acknowledgement
I would like to give Sophie Wilson a special acknowledgement for helping me with my book and thank her for not letting me submit a terrible manuscript. I am thankful for the editorial help. You are wonderful.
Chapter One
I am 30 years old and as I stare up at the ceiling of the clinic, I can’t help but wonder how I got here. “Okay, Miss Fox, we are all done here. You may get dressed now.”
“Thanks,” I murmur my reply to the doctor. She has been very nice throughout this process. Always reminding me that we can go at my own pace and telling me that I am safe half a dozen times before continuing the next part of my exam. Thankfully, for today, we’re finished, and I can go home soon.
I step out of the ensuite attached to the brightly lit Examination Room and squint. Ouch! Great, a migraine, that’s all I need. I blink my eyes, attempting to adjust them to the harsh, fluorescent lights when I spot the nurse and doctor who are dealing with my case. As I tentatively approach them, the doctor speaks to me again. “Do you have any questions for me?”
“Yes,” I timidly reply. “What happens now?”
“Well as you know, he will have been swabbed too.” She pauses. “The tests we have done today will be sent to the forensics department, as does his. They will search for his DNA on you and vice versa. Then it’s up to the Public Prosecution Service to take the case forward but with these cases, there is no guarantee that they will take it to court. The police will be in contact, they can explain this much easier than I can.”
“Oh, okay thanks,” I say. And now for the burning question! “Can I go home now?”
“Yes!” She smiles sweetly at me. “Just let me finish up here and I’ll take you out. Just go into the little room we were in earlier and I’ll come get you once I am done.” I give her a little nod and leave her to finish whatever she’s doing.
With every step I take, I feel my head pound. The light seems to be moving and I think I’m going to vomit. I check my phone and see that it’s almost 3pm. “Shit!” I gasp. No wonder I feel so bad. I’ve been awake for 12 hours and spent most of it in hysterics while only running on 2 hours’ sleep. I slump on into a seat in utter disbelief as the room begins to spin.
I drag myself to my feet and lift my bottle of water from the coffee table in front of me. Figures! Practically empty. I bring it to my lips, savouring the last sip. I walk out the French doors for some fresh air and in what I can only describe as a mini garden of sorts, a blink of sun manages to find its way to me. I close my eyes and raise my head towards it, letting the rays wash over me.
Even though my head hurts, I get a strange sense of being cleansed and it gives me this strength. Odd. I strain to swallow the remnants of the contents of my water bottle before I head back in just in time for the nurse to hand me a care package of toiletries and a folder with cards and leaflets on services available to me. I remember being told that the care package is something that the Duchess of Cambridge has organised and the thought that the Royal family cares about these matters warms me a little.
As I lose myself in thought, the doctor comes in and uses her keycard to let me out where I am reunited with my boyfriend Jimmy, who is waiting patiently for me. We head out into the main foyer where the police officers who brought me here are waiting to take me home. And so begins the long, silent car journey home.
Chapter Two
Once home, I thank the officers and go straight to bed, the need for sleep taking over my body. I slowly climb all 14 stairs and crawl into bed where strange dreams plague me.
Its dark but I see a faint, orange glow glimmering in front of me. It’s so beautiful, like a flame. I feel like I’m drawn to it. I journey down the dark, narrow hallway towards the flame; the closer I get, the more I see. The flame is floating. There is no candle or fuel source.
The room is wide and round, and although I cannot see it through the darkness, I can feel it around me. I don’t understand how I know it when I can’t even see the edges; it’s like a sense.
A warm breeze brushes past the back of my neck and the flame flickers. I can feel someone’s eyes on the back of my head. I smirk and ask, “How do you always know when I need you?”
“It’s the gift of the spirit world,” he replies as if I already knew, which I did.
I sigh. “I am going to lose her, aren’t I?” I state more than ask.
“Yes,” he confirms.
“Will it be for good?” I ask, almost afraid of the answer.
“That is unclear. There are many decisions to be made along the way and many opportunities to reunite. Just have faith.” I hang my head in defeat.
I knew once it came out, we would disagree but to lose my mother… How do I get through this without her? “I knew she wouldn’t believe me! She will always choose a man over me. Even when he tries to rape me in my sleep. In her house!” I say venomously. He can clearly see my hurt and anger over her choice. He gently rests his hand on my shoulder.
“My sister is too ill to be on her own,” he says. “She needs him. She is stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. Trust that she will come to her senses.” I nod.
“You may lose a lot during this, but a gift has been bestowed upon you. This flame represents the gift. Find it and it will grow. Search within and trust that this experience is just the spark. You must discover and hone the gift to keep it alive.” I turn away from the beautiful flame for the first time and look up at my uncle.
“Well, that’s not cryptic! What kind of gift? How do I find it?”
He smiles down at me. “No, my dear niece, that I cannot tell you. You must discover it for yourself.”
“Well, thanks for all the insightful information, Matt!” I say sarcastically.
He chuckles. God how I’ve missed that laugh. “You are welcome, Alexis.” I hate that name.
But he uses it to annoy me. He leans in for a hug. I close my eyes, enjoying the feeling of my uncle in my arms again. Lord knows how I’ve missed him. I feel him pull away and I open my eyes.
I realise I’m back home. In bed. Jimmy is beside me and I feel a little sadder, as I never got the chance to say goodbye. Again.
Chapter Three
It’s been a week since he tried to rape me and since Uncle Matt visited me in my dreams. I’m so confused. Everything is quiet. I haven’t heard from my family either. Now, Jimmy is working and I’m on my own. It’s the first time I’ve been alone since it happened, but I think I’m okay. Okay maybe not…I guess I’m nervous. I’m fine. I’m at home where I am safe, and people can only get in if I let them in. No big deal! Right! I’m being silly. Just go on Facebook and distract yourself! Okay this is good. Ha! Cat videos are good. Cats are so funny.
What’s this? Mum! We were supposed to go out last week as a family to catch up. And it was only supposed to be me, brothers and Mum. No kids or spouses. Looks like they did it without me. And with spouses. He isn’t in the pictures, maybe he isn’t there! It looks like I’m being alienated because of him anyway. And spouses! Guess Jimmy wasn’t good enough either. Not that it bothers him. So why am I letting it bother me? Calm down, Lexi.
Suddenly, I feel this heat in my hands. It’s spreading up my arms. Straight to my chest and I close my eyes. I see the little